Chapter Nine: Christmas At Hogwarts
November arrives and the past few days since their confrontation on the grand staircase about her boggart, Emma has successfully managed to keep Killian at an arm's length. She's barely spoken to him and when she needed to she kept it to a few basic words about their assignment. Killian himself, has tried to apologize more than five times already, but now just over a week later he had convinced himself that he had truly stepped over the mark, and now he had no chance of getting to know the lost girl who hid behind a courageous smile.
Then luck strikes.
Professor De Vil had noticed that he and Emma where beginning to slip behind in their work because they were not communicating as a pair. They had both been ordered to move on from the silly spat or Emma's spat in reality and learn to work together again or else they would both failed their assignment, and Killian hoped that Emma would take on board De Vil's words, and at least talk to him.
Killian enters the small classroom he and Emma have been issued for their assignment in a tentative manner. His school bag is over his shoulder and for the first time all week, Emma is already sitting on the ground, parchment rolled out in front of her and chewing on the end of a sugar quill. He can't help but chuckle as he sits down next to her, stretching his legs in front of him.
"What's so funny?" Emma asks.
Killian jumps. These are the first non-assignment related words she has issued to him, (apart from fuck offwhen he had tried to crack a joke earlier in the week), which had been said in a nice tone. Emma raises her eye-brow in a confused manner at his startled jump but she doesn't question it.
"Just you and your sugar quill." Killian replies. "You sure do like them, don't you?"
"Yeah." Emma shrugs. "Just don't tell De Vil I'm eating one. I'm sure she would love for any excuse to give me a detention."
"As long as you don't tell her I'm eating one to."
To Emma's surprise, Killian pulls his own out and begins to chew on it too. Emma chuckles when he gives her a sheepish look.
"Wow, the boy who tried to turn me in for eating one earlier this year is now going back on his words and doing the exact same thing." Emma notes, before looking back down at her text book.
"You seemed to have rubbed off on me, lass." Killian smiles.
Emma nods before looking up at him, her facial expression serious. "I'm sorry for the past few days. I should have been more mature and understanding that you didn't mean it to intentionally hurt me."
"Hey…" Killian interrupts a baffled expression across his face. "You don't have to apologize to me. It's I who should be apologizing to you. I should never have said anything. I overstepped the personal boundary and it was none of my business. You had every right to get annoyed. Yes, I didn't mean to come across as an ass, but I did. So I'm sorry for un-intentionally hurting you."
Emma gives him a friendly smile. "Apology accepted."
"Now Swan, how about we get the last of this written work complete, before we face that monster in there…"
…
December brings the coldest temperatures England has seen in months. Students bustle from classroom to classroom wrapped tightly in their black capes, and often close together to try and conserve body heat. Each common room has the fires lit day and night, keeping the room warm for when the students returned. The Slytherin's now begin to spend as much time as they can in the library or the great hall, as their dungeon common room had never been so cold.
Eventually after Slytherin students continued to complain about the freezing temperature of their common room, Professor Hellar had been ordered to cast a permanent warming charm which only backfired as students where now too hot. Apparently Hellar's version of warm was Sahara desert standard.
Emma is making her way through the chilled corridor towards her Defence Against the Dark Arts class, and her teeth are chattering non-stop. She can't wait till she is in the small classroom where she and Killian still continue to work. Up until a week ago, they could bear the chill but yesterday Killian announced that he needed warmth, so with a glass jar at the ready he cast a charm which made a small blue flame which was strong enough to keep the entire classroom heated.
Emma pushes open the door and sighs with relief as the warmth washes over her. Killian smiles as she sits down beside him.
Over the past few weeks they had actually managed to get along well, and even though Emma wouldn't say anything to her friend's about it she believed that she and Killian where actually becoming friends. Unknown to her, Killian was thinking the same thing. They had worked in a comfortable atmosphere and their lessons had been spent with smiles and laughter.
"It's so much warmer in here." Emma chuckles as she sits down in her usual place.
"Aye, you're practically blue." He comments his expression a mixture of amusement and slight concern. "I think Hogwarts should let us carry these flames around with us."
"Agreed." Emma replies as she begins to pull out her needed items from her bag.
They fall into a comfortable silence as they begin to write a summary each on what Boggarts are and what they did.
"What are your plans for the Christmas holidays?" Emma asks after a few moments.
"I'm staying here this year. I don't think I'm in the mood to play happy family with dear old dad. I take it you are staying?"
Emma nods. "I wouldn't go back to the Page's if you paid me."
Killian chuckles. "What about your friends?"
"Everyone is going home for the holidays apart from Mary Margaret who is going to David's. There will only be one other Gryffindor student so I guess you could say I'm happy that the common room will be empty. I'll get one of the best arm chairs right beside the fire."
Killian laughs completely understanding her. "Believe it or not I am the only Slytherin staying so I'll guess we will just have to keep one another company."
"I guess we will." Smiles Emma. "Maybe we could go down to Hogsmeade on Christmas day for something to do. I'm sure they will only be singing old Christmas carols here."
"Sounds great." Killian answers as he goes back to explaining what a boggart is on his piece of parchment.
…
The twenty-first of December arrives quickly and Emma finds herself feeling sad as she hugs; Robin, Mary Margaret, David and Ruby goodbye. Graham, Mulan, Ana and Will have already boarded their carriage to the Hogwarts Express.
"Are you sure you don't want to come back with us?" Mary Margaret asks as she looks at Emma in a soft manner.
"I'm positive. I really need to nail this Defence assignment and now that Jones is staying it will be better if I do. That way we can get ahead."
David huffs, but sighs. "Okay, well if he tries any funny business I'll smash him. See you, Emma."
Emma hugs them all again before they climb into their carriage and disappear down the snowy lane which leads to Hogsmeade station.
Emma shivers in the cold morning air before turning back to the castle entrance and entering. To the right, Killian is standing with Tamara, Greg, Zelena and Regina. They are all in deep conversation and Emma notes that Zelena is looking restless and it was clear that the red-head wanted to get home.
Emma continues going back up the staircase and heads off in the direction of the Gryffindor tower, eagerly awaiting the comfy armchair and the warm fire and later that night seen as she had the Gryffindor prefect bathroom to herself, a long and relaxing bath.
"Emma, hey!"
She stops and turns at the sound of Killian's voice. Sure enough, the Slytherin is walking towards her his hands shoved deep in his pockets, trying to keep them warm.
"We have free range of the castle and we can go to Hogsmeade whenever we want." Killian starts. "Fancy getting a butterbeer?"
Emma shrugs. "I suppose. Can we meet in the entrance hall in about ten minutes? I just need to grab my winter coat, gloves and beanie."
"Yeah sounds good. See you in a few."
Ten minutes later and bundled up as much as she can, Emma meets Killian in the castle doorway and they inform Leopold that they are going down to Hogsmeade. Leopold simply smiles and tells them to be back before four o'clock and comments on them getting along, and that he is happy to see it.
Both now red in the face (not from the cold, but from blushing), they leave the castle and set off down to the small wizard village. Emma is concentrating on where she is stepping not wanting to slip, and it appears Killian is doing the same thing.
"I take it you mean The Three Broomsticks for the drinks, right?" Emma asks. "Not Hog's Head?"
"Do I look like the kind of person who'd take a girl into that place?" Killian chuckles. "Mates and I yeah, but I don't think it'd be your scene."
Emma breaths a sigh of relief. "Oh thank god. Neal took me in there once. It was the creepiest place. I swear there was hag in there."
"Not surprising. They get all sorts of people in there. It's where wizards who are travelling and don't really want to make themselves known go. I think the school is in the process of banning students from going there. Too many strange folk about."
Emma listens curiously. "Well when I went no Hogwarts students were there apart from Neal and me. I was uncomfortable and Neal didn't seem to care. In fact, he looked right at home."
Killian chuckles darkly. "Did you ever meet his family?"
"No why?"
"Pure-blood. Worse than my family can be but unlike my dad his parents are strange folk. They spent a lot of their time wandering the darkest places of the earth and practicing the dark arts. Neal, you'd be surprised is pretty advanced in dark curses and spells as well. The school refused to let him do advanced Defence against the Dark Arts for this reason. He was pissed but didn't make a scene as his father, which isn't really known at this moment of time, is awaiting trial and will more than likely be sent to Azkaban as he performed the Cruciatus curse on a wizard who couldn't pay him back ten galleons." Killian explains.
Emma gasps. "That's terrible. How long will he get in Azkaban?"
"Ten years. The curse as you know is unforgiveable and punishments are high for using it without ministry permission, or if you aren't a qualified Auror."
Emma shivers, not because she is cold, but from Killian's tale. "I never would have thought… Maybe it is best he dumped me then. Clearly I don't want to be around his family or him."
"No, you don't." Killian replies honestly as they arrive on the Main Street of Hogsmeade. "Anyway, enough of that tale, let's go grab a drink."
The two enter The Three Broomsticksand sigh with relief when the warmth instantly surrounds them. Madam Tremaine looks shocked at seeing the two together as she, along with the majority of the local Wizarding community were under the impression that Emma and Killian are not friends.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" She asks finally managing to close her mouth.
"Two Butterbeer's." Killian replies as he hands her two silver sickles.
"I can get my…"
"My treat." Killian smiles as he leads Emma over to a two-man booth. "Is there anywhere else you want to go before we return to the castle?"
"Honeydukes?" Emma chuckles in a shy manner. "I think I need to re-stock my edible quill collection. Also, I need to get presents, so sweets are perfect."
"Sounds good."
Madam Tremaine brings them their drinks five minutes later and Emma immediately takes a sip, moaning in pleasure as the warm liquid hits the back of her throat. Killian chuckles as he too takes a swig of his drink.
"I can't wait until we can drink the ones with the alcohol in." Emma comments after a few moments. "Apparently they are the best."
"They are. Mother let me try one once. Only a year and just over a month for me until I can." Killian replies.
"When's your birthday?" Emma asks curiously.
"January the twenty-sixth. At least next holidays I can use magic."
Emma had never known when Killian's birthday was, and she couldn't control her thoughts, as she begins to think what she can get Killian for his birthday. She decides to do what she does with everyone else (apart from Mary Margaret and David who receive more special gifts), and get him sweets from Honeydukes.
They left The Three Broomsticks half an hour later, and after two more Butterbeer's each. Emma begins an immediate path for Honeydukes and she can't help but give a slight cheer when she realizes it will be quiet, as there are no crowds of Hogwarts students.
Once inside they both are able to move around and have a proper look at what is on offer. Emma ends up getting more than her top up of quills and presents, as there are some things she has never noticed before, as they had been blocked from view by other Hogwarts students. Killian is also carrying an armful of sweets.
"Didn't think I'd be seeing Hogwarts students until January." The witch behind the counter smiles as she magically ads up Emma's purchases. "Two galleons, my dear."
Emma hands over her money, takes her bag and waits for Killian to pay for his as well. With two bags each they leave the small sweet shop and head back up Main Street. Emma ends up entering a Quidditch shop and buying a book about David's favourite Quidditch Team, the Chudley Canons. In a book shop she buys Mary Margaret The Tales of Beadle the Bard.Satisfied that either of them have no more presents left to buy they begin a slow walk back up to the castle as the snow begins to fall around them.
They must have been half way back when Killian stops walking and places his bags down on the ground. Emma turns to face him and raises an eye-brow, shivering in the wind.
"Ever had a snowball fight?" Killian grins, reaching down and rolling a ball of snow in his leather gloved palms.
Emma realizes quickly what Killian is intending to do and she places her own bags down besides his and offers him a large smile in return.
"Of course I have." She too forms a snowball in her hands. "You're toast Jones."
"I'm a champion." And with that, he lobs his ball of snow at Emma, hitting her in the leg.
Emma shrieks but recovers quickly enough and throws hers back at him. Killian feels the snow hit his chest and ignores the cold water seeping through his clothes. He rolls another ball and chucks it at Emma; only this time he hits the back of her head. Emma screams, not in pain, but in joy. Killian laughs, but is quickly silenced when her snowball hits him in the face.
"Ha!" Emma shouts laughing manically. "And Emma wins!"
Killian places his palms up in a surrender motion and grins as he watches Emma try to contain her laughter. He has never seen this side to her before and he finds that he likes it and what is even better, she'd let her walls down for him. To Killian it feels like a privilege having been the one to make her laugh so happily.
"Come on we should get back." Emma calls as she picked up her bags from ground, snow beginning to fall again. "Or Leopold might think we've been up to something."
Emma blushes furiously red when she realizes that her words have come out wrong and that she'd accidentally made a sexual innuendo. Killian instead of teasing her laughs and picks up his bags.
"Aye, aye Captain Swan." He jokes.
…
Emma wakes Christmas morning to find a small pile of presents at the bottom of her bed. She smiles with delight. Ever since she came to Hogwarts, she had received gifts. Her aunt and uncle had never once given her more than a pair of socks or a fifty cents piece.
Mary Margaret has sent her a brand new eagle feather quill, as Emma's had broken earlier that year in her bag. David's present is a bit more hands on and it is exactly what she'd looked at briefly in Diagon Alley back in August; a self- service broom kit. From her other friends, she found bags of sweets, just like she had done with them.
Emma dresses for the day and makes herself look presentable, before leaving the common room and making her way down to Great Hall.
Killian is already sitting at the single wooden table digging into a bacon sandwich he had put together. He smiles when he sees her enter and Emma sits down beside him immediately piling food onto her plate.
"Merry Christmas." He smiles.
"Merry Christmas to you too." Emma replies with a quick grin.
Killian lowers his voice to a whisper. "I'm going to face the boggart afterwards."
"You are?" Emma turns to look at him and she sounds surprised.
"Aye and uh, I think I want you there… just in case." He continues in a hushed voice. "I…I think I might know what it is going to turn into and I think I will need someone there to remind me everything is okay. Will you come?"
Emma nods. "Yes… of course. Do you mean after breakfast?"
"Aye."
Both Emma and Killian quickly finish their breakfast. It is clear to Emma that Killian is tense and anxious to face the boggart. She won't lie, if she was in his shoes, she would as well. And the fact that he had asked her to be in the room with him when only last month he wanted to be alone, told her that whatever he feared his boggart would be, was serious.
They enter the small classroom and Emma moves off to the side of the room, conjuring the warming flame. Emma purposely keeps out of line with the wardrobe, not wanting to interfere with Killian's attempt. After a few moments of standing there, Killian looks at Emma, sighs and turns back to the wardrobe, using his wand to open it.
The wardrobe door opens slowly and Killian freezes as a booted foot comes out. Then the figure of his father is standing in front of him a cold look upon his features.
"You're going to fail, Killian." The boggart spoke to him through his father's form. "You always fail. You are never good enough. You will never be good enough."
Killian gulps, having a hard time remembering that he is supposed to use a spell to defeat the boggart.
"You're a failure. Always have been. I wish you had died instead of Liam. So does your mother…"
Emma's eyes widen as Killian just stands there his wand shaking in his hand. As Emma watches the menacing shape of his Mr Jones the boggart had taken, she understood why Killian wanted her there. He needed to be reassured he wasn't a failure.
"R…Riddikulus." Killian mutters his voice shaky.
The boggart quickly turns into a whimpering version of his father, as though he is a coward, which Killian believed him to be, before Killian himself uses his wand to force the boggart back into the wardrobe, locking the door quickly.
Killian stands rooted to the spot for a few moments, his breathing very shallow. Without thinking, Emma quickly moves over and stands in front of him, giving Killian a concerned look.
"Killian, you are none of those things. They boggart is lying to you. You are not a failure at all. In fact you are one of the smartest students in our year." She reaches out and tentatively takes a hold of his hand.
Killian looks at her his breathing slowly returning back to normal. "I..."
"It's not true." She whispers trying to convince him it wasn't.
Killian doesn't break eye contact and for a moment Emma is sure he was going to nod his head in understanding, but what she doesn't expect is for him to suddenly move forward and capture her lips with his.